Dexy's Midnight Runners - BBC Radio 1 in Concert (CD)

All Music Guide

Dexy's Midnight Runners never issued an "official" live album, but thankfully listeners have this CD, which does a great job representing their exciting and eclectic live show. And in all honestly, lead singer Kevin Rowland was the show. His stories and extended versions of songs made the show. Rowland is an earnest, sincere vocalist who breathes life into whatever he sings, and you know that he only sings what he feels. This CD (originally recorded for the BBC) was recorded two weeks prior to the release of their monster hit "Come on Eileen," so the audience is more interested in their older hits ("Geno," "There There My Dear") and are not as enthusiastic about the newer songs from the then-forthcoming Too-Rye-Ay album. The songs are performed with perfection, with the familiar stunning arrangements. This particular incarnation of the band featured older members (Giorgio Kilkenny), but other founding members (such as Jim Patterson) had left and were replaced by new recruits like Billy Adams. Although this is a relatively new band, they play together like old pros. This was also the last time that Dexy's Midnight Runners performed with their old brass members, and the mix of fiddles and brass creates a unique, stirring sound. This CD shows that Dexy's Midnight Runners were a tight, talented band with their own original style. Fans will love this CD and others may learn that this band was severely underrated. And listening to this, one would never guess that this was a band in transition, which speaks to their professionalism and talent.

- Aaron Badgley, All Music Guide